March 8, 2004
Gretchen Cook-Anderson
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-0836)
Michael Holland
Honeywell, Morris Township, N.J.
(Phone: 973/455-2728)
RELEASE: 04-083
NASA AND HONEYWELL LAUNCH INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL "ROCK" TOUR
NASA and Honeywell launched "FMA Live! Where Science Rocks," a dynamic
rock-and-roll education program geared to students in grades six
through eight. The initiative was kicked off today at Fees Middle
School in Tempe, Ariz.
"FMA Live! Where Science Rocks" uses a diverse troupe of live actors,
music, videos and demonstrations to teach Sir Isaac Newton's Three
Laws of Motion and the Universal Law of Gravity in a powerful and
memorable way. The program is named after Newton's Second Law (Force
equals Mass times Acceleration).
The program is the focus of a new national partnership between NASA
and Honeywell Hometown Solutions, Honeywell's community-relations
initiative, also announced today. The mission of the partnership is
to engage middle-school students in the wonders of science,
technology and math.
Students will be engaged through innovative education programs that
demonstrate the relevance of the natural sciences to children's daily
lives. "FMA Live! Where Science Rocks" addresses critical
science-curriculum objectives that enable students to better
understand science and help improve their performance.
"Tomorrow's space explorers are seated in America's classrooms, asking
questions, solving problems and conducting experiments," said NASA's
Associate Administrator for Education, Dr. Adena Williams Loston. "As
we work to carry NASA's new vision for space exploration forward,
outreach initiatives like our partnership with Honeywell for "FMA
Live!" help us work closely with schools to foster learning
environments that will inspire young people to set their sights on
venturing to the moon, Mars and beyond," she said.
Honeywell Hometown Solutions will underwrite all costs of "FMA Live!
Where Science Rocks." The program will tour the United States for 18
weeks in 2004. It will visit 45 middle schools in 25 markets,
including Phoenix, Chicago, Minneapolis, Seattle, Detroit and
Washington. Over the next three years, the program is expected to
reach an estimated 125,000 students in more than 150 middle schools
in 100 communities.
"As a technology leader, Honeywell depends upon a talented, inspired
workforce to bring innovative solutions to our customers and our
communities," said Bob Johnson, President and CEO, Honeywell
Aerospace. "It is an honor for us to be partnering with NASA, and we
believe our "FMA Live!" program will motivate the best young minds in
America to pursue careers in science, engineering and technology," he
said.
Employment opportunities in science and technology are expected to
increase at almost three times all other occupations; however,
enrollment in college science and engineering courses in the United
States is declining. Research shows younger students proficient in
science, technology, engineering and math are more likely to pursue
related subjects in high school and college, and then in career
fields.
For more information about the "FMA Live! Where Science Rocks" tour on
the Internet, visit:
http://www.fmalive.com
Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell is a diversified technology
and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide. For more
information about Honeywell on the Internet, visit:
http://www.honeywell.com
For information about other NASA education programs on the Internet,
visit:
http://education.nasa.gov
For information about NASA on the Internet, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/formedia
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